The 2021 Mazda CX-3 has an excellent reliability rating, but just an okay road test score. While its performance is pretty good, its comfort is not. Is the Mazda CX-3 comfortable enough to deal with to get its benefits? Let’s take a look at the Consumer Reports ratings for a better idea of what’s behind its score. 

The 2021 Mazda CX-3’s comfort isn’t great 

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Mazda CX-3 an okay 3/5 for its ride, as well as for noise. Front-seat comfort is also okay, at a 3/5. Rear seat comfort gets only a 2/5. Consumer Reports says that “the CX-3 is very snug inside. So snug, in fact, that you might physically outgrow the CX-3 before you’re ready for your next car.” They go on to say, “once inside, it’s clear that it’s short on room. The car infringes on shoulder and elbow space, making the cockpit feel hemmed in. The driver’s seat is narrow, the rear seat is snug, and the cargo capacity is puny.”

Interior fit and finish get a very good 3/5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 1/5, with just 18 cubic feet of storage space. Consumer Reports notes that “You can forget about packing for a family vacation.”

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 is loaded with safety features

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 comes standard with a decent amount of safety features. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking for the city and highway, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and pedestrian detection are all standard in the 2021 Mazda CX-3. So are a rear view camera, anti lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and daytime running lights. Lane keeping assistance isn’t available.

Both the IIHS and NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Mazda CX-3. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for everything except for its rollover rating. The rating for both the 2WD and 4WD rollover is four stars.

Predicted reliability is high, but owner satisfaction is low

To determine the reliability of a vehicle, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to people who have bought previous versions of the vehicle. They then combine this survey data with what they know about the current model. They say that with these two pieces of information, they can “expertly predict the reliability of new and redesigned models.”

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Mazda CX-3 a perfect 5/5 for its predicted reliability. The 2019 also had an excellent reliability rating, with the brakes getting the worst rating at a 2/5.

The CX-3 gets a poor owner satisfaction score, at a 2/5. Similarly to reliability, Consumer Reports uses surveys to determine this score. The driving experience for the CX-3 gets a 70, while comfort gets a 43. Styling gets a 74, and value is a 56. Only 52% of people would buy the CX-3 again.

If comfort isn’t your priority or you won’t be driving frequently, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 may still be a good choice. With its abundance of safety features and good crash test ratings, the CX-3 still has a lot to offer drivers.